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THE VILLAGE SINGER
Opera in One Act
Libretto by Michael Dennis Browne, after a story by Mary Wilkins Freeman
Duration:  1 hour

The aging Candace Whitcomb has been the paid church soloist for the past forty years.
In her New England village, circa 1900, she is turned out for a younger soprano and the story
unfolds.


Cast of Characters:

Candace Whitcomb, early 60's, Soprano
Alma Way, age 30, Soprano*
Minnie Lansing, age 45, Soprano*
Jenny Carr, age 25, Mezzo Soprano*
Nancy Ford (Candace's sister), age 50, Mezzo Soprano*
Wilson Ford (Candace's nephew, engaged to Alma Way), age 32, Tenor*
The Rev. Pollard, 50's, Tenor
Todd Wilkins, age 28, Tenor*
William Emmons (the choir leader), 60's, Baritone*
Brent Freeman, age 65, Bass*
*these singers make up the choir, unless otherwise marked


Instrumentation:

Orchestra: 2-1-2-1; 1-0-0-0; timp, hp, pf/harm; perc (2); str 3-3-2-2-1
Chorus: SATB


Setting:

A New England Village, circa 1900,
principally in Candace Whitcomb's cottage and the church, during the
month of May and the weeks following


Synopsis:

Candace Whitcomb has been the paid soloist in her church for forty years.  The members of her
choir surprise her with a party during which she and her suitor, William Emmons, the choir
director, sing together.  As everyone departs at the party's end, William discreetly leaves a photo
album on Candace's table.  Candace finds the album and reminisces about her forty years of
service.  At the back of the book she finds a note from William, dismissing her from her singing
duties and naming Alma Way, her nephew's fiancee, as her replacement.  That Sunday the
congregation assembles and Alma prepares to sing her solo.  Suddenly, next door in her
cottage, Candace begins singing her own solo.  The Reverend, after the service, rushes to the
cottage and implores Candace to refrain from singing during worship.  However, that afternoon,
Candace repeats her solo performance.  Wilson, Candace's nephew, rushes from the church
threatening to throw her organ out the window if she won't stop singing.  Candace retaliates by
refusing to name Wilson in her will.  Suddenly overcome, Candace becomes very ill.  Eventually
agreeing to see William and Reverend Pollard, Candace repents, gives her blessing to Alma,
and asks her to sing for her.  Candace points out variances in Alma's pitch and then dies.



Commissioned:

Commissioned by Opera Theatre of St. Louis, June 9, 1979
by the New Music Circle of St. Louis, Missouri
in commemoration of its twentieth anniversary season,
with assistance from The Missouri Arts Council, the Camelot Fund for the Arts,
and Education Council of Greater St. Louis


Published:

Published by European American Music
EA 454 Vocal Score


Selected Performance History:

Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Madison Opera, Inspiration Point Fine Arts Academy, University of
Denver, University of California at Santa Barbara, New York Lyric Opera, Arizona State University,
Charlottetown Players, Simpson College Opera, Chattanooga Opera and Symphony, The
Minnesota Opera, Wilmington Drama League, University of Cincinnati Conservatory-School of
Music